Lee Eun-mi Married Long-Time Lover in January

Singer Lee Eun-mi got married to a Korean-American businessman in January, it has belatedly emerged.

Lee's management agency Neobiz in a press release on Wednesday said the wedding took place on Jan. 12 in Santa Barbara, California in the presence of friends. The newlyweds recently found a home in Samseong-dong, Seoul.

Lee's husband is known to be an trader in his mid-40s. A staffer at the agency said they have been friends and lovers for more than two decades.

The press release quoted Lee as saying, "I am sorry that I could not let the fans know about my marriage earlier, but I had no choice as I wanted to protect my husband, who is not a public figure and has his own business. He is my cherished love who has supported and encouraged me throughout my musical career."

Lee is currently one of the judges and mentors on MBC reality show "The Birth of a Great Star."